Fashion Friday: Edition I’m so glad basketball is over

Well, we just got home from my friend Julie’s house where we all watched the Spurs lose game seven and the championship. I was upset about it for 2.3 seconds until I remembered I don’t really care about basketball.

On a somewhat fashion-related note, Caroline had spent the afternoon playing with Julie’s daughter, Sadie. And when P and I got to their house in time for the game, Caroline was wearing an enormous bow in her hair. Like I cannot stress the enormity of this bow.

It looked so precious and girly that my heart skipped a beat and I had to remind myself not to show any sign of enthusiasm or excitement toward the bow because otherwise it would ensure she would never wear a bow again even under threat of death.

So I just said in my best monotone voice, “Hey. You’ve got a pink bow in.” It was just a statement. The same way I might say, “So. You have ten toes.” Merely a presentation of the facts.

She replied, “Yeah, I like it. I may want to start wearing bows now.” And I had to bite the inside of my lip until it bled to ensure I didn’t show any hint of a smile or other sign of approval.

I’ve noticed the bow phenomenon recently. Most of Caroline’s friends all quit wearing bows sometime around the end of first grade. But somewhere around the middle of fourth grade, bows began to make a comeback. Much like LL Cool J. And they came back with a vengeance. Bigger than ever. Somewhere between what the English refer to as a fascinator and the Flying Nun.

And so Caroline announced when we got home this evening that she’d like me to go buy her some new bows for her hair. Apparently the ones she wore when she was three are too small. You have to bow big or bow home.

But I think I may make her wait a few days just to make sure it really sticks. A shopping trip tomorrow might reveal my bow weakness.

Anyway, here are some cute things that I can actually profess my enthusiasm for:

I love this simple, pretty white top. I have a top kind of like this and wore it last week with bootcut jeans, wedge sandals and some turquoise earrings. It may be my favorite summer outfit of the year.

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Comments

I have perfected my poker face when it comes to my kids and their fashion choices. It works for good behavior too. If you draw too much attention to it, they realize they’re behaving, and they don’t want me getting too comfortable with such behavior as to expect it all the time;)

Kensington and I had the same kind of bow interaction but with shorts this week! She never wears them and says she doesn’t like them but then all of a sudden she appeared in the one pair of shorts she owns (looking so cute) and asked if she could have another pair. The very last thing you can do at a moment like that is show any kind of enthusiasm! I can totally relate!

I have 2 girls (11 and 14) and when we shop together I have learned that when I spot something adorable: SAY NOTHING. Don’t point to it, don’t pull it off the rack to inspect, don’t even give it a sideways glance. Let them discover it ON THEIR OWN. It is a frustrating game but nonetheless the most effective way I have found so far since insisting they try something on usually ends up with someone in tears. And quite frankly, the sales staff at American Eagle and Forever 21 are not that comforting. Here’s to hoping the big bow phase sticks!!

I am just down the road from you in Houston. My co-worker is a die hard Aggie fan and we both LOVE football season. So much so, that we have a pad of sticky notes next to us that has the countdown. Just so you know…69 days to go! But who is counting…

We went through the exact same bow thing in elementary school. Then, as well as now (Catherine is 16), the key is DO. NOT. REACT. It’s the death knell for sure! You’ve got that covered, so you’re good to go for years of shopping with a daughter! Have a good weekend!

My daughter is 20 now but I remember those hair bow days. She had one for every outfit! There are times when I still bite my tongue when I like something she likes! I look forward to your posts and your next book.

So glad you shared about your maxi dryer incident. I was going to do laundry today and would have put my new maxi dress in the dryer! -and what idiot named a dress a maxi dress? I mean really! The word maxi makes me think PAD!

Yes on the big bows! My 11 year old wore one to volleyball camp a couple weeks ago and I almost fell out – no visible reaction, though! Also, your Friday Fashion posts and my Amex are not friends. Always great stuff!

WHERE DO I BUY THAT MAXI SKIRT??? Ahem… I mean, where might I purchase that skirt please?? When I click on it it just shows me a larger picture. AND I REALLY WANT ONE! I mean, I would really like one please??

So my sweet little Gracie decided that headbands are now the new thing (maybe bows are around the corner?), but the 84 headband under the bathroom sink will not cut it. She needs thick, fabric headbands. I picked a up a couple and loved them on her, if for no other reason, because I saw less of her hair which was a hot mess anyway (we’re in the “I wanna grow it out, but mama wants to cut it” phase). And my husband came home and asked her why she was wearing a “do rag” and she said she’s not going to wear them anymore. And we started listening to him for accessories advice when?!??????

Love your attitude! I remember your line of reasoning on not letting your daughter know you
like her new interest in bows. I felt the same way when my daughters were growing up.
Like your fashion pics, too!

Melanie’s latest book

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Who is Melanie?

My name is Melanie and, in some strange twist of fate, I’m also known as Big Mama because I started this blog in July of 2006 when my daughter, Caroline, was not quite three years old and I was in the process of convincing her that BIG girls use the potty and BIG girls don’t have pacifiers, thus she thought BIG was the highest compliment in the land and began referring to me as BIG MAMA.